There’s only one place to start with this issue after we’ve grasped some of the statistics and basic issues related to human trafficking. Before I go anywhere else, politics, economics, strategies of intervention etc, I need to examine myself and that examination needs to involve some “frank” analysis and honest admissions. I am a hypocrite of the highest degree. I am the product of a privileged world and I have willingly engaged in the indulgences [...]

For those looking for the inside scoop in the goings on of the High-Level Event happening at the U.N headquarters this week, I’ve got just the thing for you. The event, focussed on progress and plans to move forward with the U.N Millennium Development Goals, has attracted high level leaders and activists from around the world, with development as the central theme. Live blogging from around the events would be awesome, but alas I can’t be there, [...]

“The year 2008 should mark a turning point in progress towards the MDGs. …Together with the President of the General Assembly, I am convening a special High-level Event on the MDGs on 25 September in New York. This gathering will bring together world leaders, representatives of the private sector and our civil society partners to discuss specific ways to energize our efforts. I expect the meeting will also send a strong message that governments are [...]

Marketing is a huge factor in what many NGO’s do. PR and marketing are integral in what such organizations do as they live off support from the public, giving the public the opportunity to be involved in what they do. A successful marketing and PR tool that has been used by some organizations is the use of bands/musicians to spread the message of their work. Many organizations have bands/musicians aligned to them that promote their [...]

Human trafficking has well and truly captured my attention and I know it’s not an issue that is going to go away, so here begins my journey into one of the darkest issues facing our world today. There is a popular saying – “knowledge is power” – as if knowledge provides some kind of ruling force that allows us to exert influence over others, but allow me to once and for all rephrase this rather [...]

Last week we had the opportunity to chat on the radio with Luke from 100 Days 100 Dollars and Dan, the lead singer from Kingston. Check out the earlier interview with Luke here on The Humanitarian Chronicle. The highlight of this chat for me was Dan’s honesty about his feelings during his visit to the Kibera slum, moving from taking it all in like a tourist, to just being overwhelmed by it all. Have a [...]

The Zimbabwe MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) Party pressroom has released the full text of the power sharing agreement reached between Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai. The agreement was facilitated by South African leader Thabo Mbeki. This is something that will be watched closely by the international community. Thankfully it includes provision and a way forward around food and humanitarian assistance and it is good to finally see the MDC given a significant place in [...]

This came from musician, Derek Webb: ART*MUSIC*JUSTICE on tour this fall, benefiting both the International Justice Mission and Food For the Hungry. The International Justice Mission (www.IJM.org) is a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. Food for the Hungry (www.FH.org) works in more than 26 developing countries providing disaster and emergency relief, and implementing sustainable development programs to transform communities physically and spiritually. [...]

There are a few different ways of referring to the topic of this article. Some refer to it using the mouthful – “Socially Conscious Purchases” or “Socially Aware Consuming”. Over at Phoenix and in many other places they’re calling it “Ethical Consumption”. I like that term, but love the subversive tone in “Shopping Activism” so am going to work with that. Every purchase we make is an act that says something, whether we like it [...]

The Humanitarian Chronicle supports socially reponsible businesses whose very reason for existence consists of more than a drive to generate a profit. we support businesses that have written into their DNA a drive to positively impact the world. We identify Jedidiah, a California based clothing company, as one of those businesses. Jedidiah exists to serve the world around them and was born in 2001 as an entity shunning the pitfalls and extremes of the consumer [...]